System of motor control.



Witnesses.

PATENTED NOV. 2'7, 1906.

G. H. HILL.

SYSTEM OF MOTOR CONTROL.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 20. 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Inventor": George H. Hill.

WWM

No. 836,973. PATENTED NOV. 27, 1906.

G. H. HILL. I SYSTEM OF MOTOR CONTROL. APPLIGATION FILED MAY 20, 1905.

a SHEETS-SHEET z.

lnvntor: George H. Hill.

Witnesses.

NO. 836,973. PATENTED NOV. 27,1906.

G. H. HILL. I

SYSTEM OF MOTOR CONTROL.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Fig. 4.

l n a as 1' O i w 1 as 26 7 h as 41 3 ]44 as 45 FIQJ Witnesse. Inventor:

PL 1 George H. Hill.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE H. HILL, OF SOHENECTA DY, NEvV YORK. ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SYS'TEM OF MOTOR CONTROL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 27, 1906.

Application filed May 20, 1905. Serial No. 261,293.

T0 at whont it WI/(by concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. HILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, county of Schenectady, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Systems of -Motor Control, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to systems of motor control, and more particularly to electricallyoperated pneumatically controlled systems for governing the operation of the motors of a car or train.

.More specifically the present invention relates to the system of control disclosed in Patent N o. 809,908, granted on January 9 1906, on an application-filed by F. E. Case,-

and has for its object to improve certain features of that system.

In the aforesaid application a motor-controller of the automatic electromagneticallyactuated type is governed in its operation by means of a pneumatic system comprising a master-valve and but two train-pipes acting through a number of relays. The relays serve to complete the control-circuits for the motor-controller and are arranged to operate underdifi'erent pressures, the master-valve being adapted to supply the two pipes successivcly with air having the proper degree of compression. Both pipes are energized dur ing each cycle of operation, the direction of rotation of the motors being determined by the order in which the pipes are energized.

In one of its aspects the present invention consists in an. automatic motor-controller and a pneumatic governing system therefor comprising two pipes and a series of independent relays associated therewith, the re lays being grouped 1n pairs, so that half are controlled by one pipe and half by the other,

producing a simpleandsymmetrical con struction and arrangement of parts having an eflicient and certain action.

In another of its aspects the present invention consists in an autoi'natic motor-controlier having a reversing-switch and a pnsw matic governing system comprising two pipes and a series of relays including a reversingrelay connected to each pipe, the re lays being adapted to operate under different pressures, together witha valve for supplying compressed air to. the pipes, the arrangement' being such'that both pipes must beenl ergized to producea complete cycle of con nections for forwardor reverse rotation of the motors, the direction of rotation of the motors being determined by the order in pipe to be energized being supplied with air only at a pressure suflicient to operate the re versing relay associated therewith, whereby the admission of air .tothe second pipe cannot alter the direction of rotation of the motors as determined by the pipe which is first energized.

In another of its aspects the present invention consists in a motor-controller, a governing-relay, the operation of which causes the controller to connect the motor or motors for forward rotation, a second relay, the operavtion of which causes the controller to connect the motor or motors-for reverse rotation, together with means associated with each relay for rendering the other relay ino erative, Wherebyneither "relayis capable o, producother relay is in its inoperative position.

The present invention in these and other of its aspects will. be more fully understood, and further objects will be apparent in connection with the following description thereof.

A preferred form of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which" Figure 1 illustrates one system of motorcircuits, motor-control apparatus, and pneumaticgoverning means arranged in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a view, partly in section, showing the construc-- thereof. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan. view of the parts shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-section of a suitable form of master-valve. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are views showing the relation of the main. valve and valve-scat during the several operative positions of the valve.

accordance with the present invention.

Similar reference characters will be used throughout the specification and drawings to indicate like parts.

The particular form of apparatus illustrated consists of a tWo-motor-car equipment arranged to be control ledfrom either end of the car.

M and M are the two motors. "O is a motor-controller, including a series which the pipes are energized, and the last ing an operation of the controller until the Fig. 8 shows a train of two cars equipped in -tion of the relays and the arrangement circuits are prevented from being brokenduring the change from series to parallel.

GB is a circuit-breaker located in the main circuit, and RS is a reversing-switch, which determines the direction in which current 'fiows through the motor-armatures.

The circuit-breaker, the motor-controller, and the reversing-switch are governed by a pneumatic system, comprising a pair of trainpipes 1 and 2, which may be connected to atmosphere or to a compressed-air reservoir A by means of either of the master controlling valves V and V. Connected to the two pipes is the circuit-breaker-actuating mechanism D, which comprises a double-piston mechanism, such asis disclosed in application of F. B. Corey, filed October. 1, 1904, Serial No. 226,754. -A series of cylinders containing pistons E, F, and G is connected to plipe 1, and a similar series containing pistons F, and G is connected to pipe 2. The

-pistons E, E, F, F, G,- and G serve to control the several relays to be hereinafter described. The pistons are of varyin diametersnamely, the istons E and E ave the largest diameters, and F somewhat smaller diameters, and G and G the smallest diameters. Above each of the-pistons isa spring 1 lower position. 4

24, which normall holds the piston in its y making the several springs uniform the pistons of each set will operate under different pressures.

In actual practice the circuit-breaker-actuating device D and the istons E and E are arranged to operate at a out seven and a half pounds pressure, the pistons F and F at twenty-five pounds pressure, and the istons G and G at forty ounds pressure. he relays operated by t e pistons E E, F F, and G G control the actuating and maintaining circuits for the motor-controller and reversing-switch by alternately connecting .these circuits to and disconnecting them from trolley. The control-circuits terminate in five wires 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, which are ada ted to be connected to wire 3, connected to t e'current-collector through the manually-operated switch X.

Assuming that air at twenty-five ounds pressure is admitted to pi e 1, it will e seen that the circuit-breaker C will be closed and pistons E and F will be operated. The operation of iston E and the closing of the relay e contro led thereby roduces no efiect upon the controller, since 0th relays and relay e must be closed in order to connect-wire 8 to from the motor-circuit.

trolley. The operation of piston F and the consequent closing of relay f permits current to flow from wire 3, through relay f, through interlock j, which is connected with piston F and normally closed, and thence through wire 4 and through the actuating-coil r of the reversing-switch, causing the reversingswitch to be thrown to the position shown. The line-contacts T, T T and T are operated by current flowing through wire 4, which current after the reversing-switch has been 0 erated passes through contacts to 10 w on t e'reversing-switch, through the actuating-coils of the line-contacts, to ground. Another circuit is established from wire 3 through relay f associated with piston F, and

thence through wire 6, through contacts p of parallel switch P, through the actuating-coil of the series contact S, interlock 1), associated with the bridging-contact B, thence through the lowermost contacts of interlocks ifi i and 'i, associated'with the resistance-contacts R toR, inclusive, to ground, closing the series contact. The 0 eration of the circuitbreaker, piston E, and piston F consequently serve to complete a circuit through the motor in series with each other and, as may be seen by tracing the circuit shown on heavy lines, in series with the entire resistance. If now pressure is raised in pipe 1 to forty pounds, operating piston G, relay 9 is closed and current is free to flow from wire 3, through relay 9, wire 7, to upper set of the auxiliary contacts 8, associated with series switch S, wire 9, coil 0 of the combined throttle and timeinterval relay 0, contact 0 of this relay, thence I through the lowercontacts of interlock i, associated with switch R through the actuatingcoil of the switch R thence through the lower contacts of interlocks i i and "L to ground.

Switch R is closed, cutting out resistanccsection R The closing of switchR" interrupts the actuating-circuit and causes a maintaming-circuit to be established in that the actuating-circuit of switch S is shifted from the lowermost contacts of the interlock i to the upper contacts of this interlock, and thence through the actuating-coil of switch R and to the ground, as before. The actuating-circuit of switch R is transferred from lower contacts of the interlocki to the upper contacts of this interlock, and thence tothe lower contacts of interlock '3, associated with switch R through the actuating-coils of switches R and B, through the lowermost contacts of interlocks i and i to ground. Contacts R and R are thereupon closed and resistance-sections R and R are removed Similarly the re maining resistance-sections are eliminated automatically and progressively, until finally switclrBds closed, serving to place a shunt about the resistance and series switches and cause said switches to open. .Iressure in -pipe"1 may now be reduced to twenty-five crating the piston F.

pounds, leaving the motors connected across the line in series with eachother and with no resistance in'circuit. If now pipe 2 is energized with air at seven and ahalf pounds pressure, piston E"will be operated, closingrelay e, and since 6 has been previously closed current is free to flow from wire 3, through relays e 6, wire 8, the lower contacts of interlock s of series switch S, through the actuating-coils of parallel contacts Pand P through the upper of the contacts of'interlock 6 associated with contact B, through wire 10, and through the lower contacts of interlocks i i t "V, to ground. The closing of the parallel switches interrupts the maintaining-circuit for the bridging-contact B at the lowermost contact of interlock associated .with' arallel' contact P, and tiie bridging-contact is allowed to open. In opening, the brid ing contact breaks the actuating-circuit o the parallel contacts, but amaintaining-circuit for these latter contacts has previously been established at interlock 2), associated with parallel contact P. The motors are now connected in parallel with all the resistance in circuit. Pressure in pipe 1 'inay again be raised to forty pounds, operating piston G and closing relay g, whereupon the resistance will again be automatically and progressively cut out.

If it is desired to operate the motor'in the reverse direction, pipe 2 is energized first, closing the circuit-breaker, relay 2, and op:

ton Fcloses relay f and allows current to flow from wire 3 through this relay, interlock f, associated with piston F, wire 5, to actuating-coil r of the reversingeswitch and after the reversing-switch has operated. through the actuating-coils of the line-contacts, as before. The piston F also closes relay f which completes the connection of wire 6 to wire 3 and permits the series-contact to be closed. Upon raising the pressure in pipe 2 to forty pounds the resistance is automatic ally cut out, and uponreducing the pressure in this pipe to twenty-five'pounds and energizing-pipe 1' with air at seven and a half pounds pressure the actuating-circuit for the parallel contacts is completed, and the motors are connected in parallel'with all resistance in circuit. Upon again raising the pressure in pipe 2 to forty pounds the resistance is cut out, as before.

It is noted that current cannot be' supplied to either operating-magnet for the reversingswitch until the controlling-piston for the other electrom'agnet is in its retracted posi tion, and, furthermore, after the reversingswitch has once been thrown it is unaffected by admission of air to the second pipe, since the air in the second pipe is at so low a pressure that any, possibility of operating the controlling-piston: for the reversing-relay connected with the second pipe is eliminated. The use of this low pressure in the two pipes The operation of pisis made possible by reason of the two relays in the controlling-circuit for the parallel, switches, each relay being controlled by one of the pipes and it being necessary that both be closed before the parallel switches can be operated for either direction of rotation of the motors 1 The master-valve for controlling the admission of air to the pipes and for exhausting them is shown as consisting of a plug-valve v and disk valve 1). The plug-valve serves to connect either of the pipes 1 and 2' with either portill or port 12in the main valve-casing. In the position shown pipe'l is connected to port 12 and the motors" may be "connected for rotation in one direction; but if the plug-valveo is operated to connect pipe '1 to 'port 11- the motors will operate in the opposite direction. -When the valves '11 and o are in their normal inoperative positions, they are exhausted by being connected to atmosphere through ports 11 and 12 and ports 13 and 14 with valve b. Upon moving valve vin a clockwise direction until port 15 registers'with port '12 air will flow from the reservoir A, through pipe 16 and ports 15 and 12, and thence to whichever pipe is connected to the port 12. Port 15 is provided with a reducing-valve which admits pressure to the train-pipe at twenty-five pounds. next position of the valve port 17 admits pressure to train-pipe at forty pounds. and in the third operative position port 18 causes the train-pipe, which is connected to pipe 12, to be exhausted until the pressure therein is reduced to twenty-five pounds. At the same time, however, port 19 registers with port 11, and port. 13 is closed, so that air is free to pass 'from the reservoir through port 1 1 to the second train-pipe, .the pressure being limited,

however, by the reducing-valve in port 19- to seven and a half pounds. In the final position oi the valve port 20 registers with port 12 and permitsair to flow into the first pipe at a pressure of forty pounds, completing the cycle of operations; h

.-In Figs. 2 and 3 I have shown the controlling-relays arranged in a preferred manner. The cylinders within which'the controllingpistons are mounted are supported at the base of the frame 21, and stems22 project upwardly from the several pistons through, a perforated flange23. The springs 24are arranged between the lower side of the flange 23 and the topsof the several pistons. The movable contact members of the relays and interlocks are flexibly supported upon the stems 22 in order that they mayproperly position themselves in engagingwith theircooperating fixed contacts. Magnetic blowouts 25 are arranged adjacent each set of con-- tacts except the contacts f and f", which latter contacts do not operate to interrupt a circuit when current is flowing. 'l-lu connections of the energizing-coils of the blowbut In the I magnets are indicated in'the diagram of Fig! 1.

In Fig. 4 illustrated in cross-section a suitable form of master controlling-valve for admitting air to either pipe at twenty-five and-fort'ypounds 'ressure,'to the other wipe at seven and a hal pounds pressure, an for exhausting. both pipes. This valve consists of a main slide-Valve 26 and auxiliary slidevalves 27 and 28, the latter slide-valves controlling, respectively, ports 11 and 12, corresponding to the ports 1.1 and 12 in Fig. 1.

The valve 27 is controlled by the connected and ports 39 and 39, and the other through passage 40, port 41 in the valve 26. and ports 39 and 39. The chamber 35 is at all times connected to port 11 by means of the passage 42, and the chamber 36 is at all times connectedto port 12 by means of the pas-- sage 43, so that the pressure behind the pistons is normally the pressure Within the two pipes. A passage 44 extends from the valveseat 45 to a point between the two pistons 29 and 30. Air is admitted to the chamber containing the valve 26 at forty pounds pressure by means of a pipe connected to the casing at 46 and then under the control of said valve to the pipes 1 and 2 in the sequence and at the pressures previously described. I

The operation of the valve will be clear from an inspection of Figs. 5, 6, and 7 in connection with Fig. 4. Air is admitted to the ports 11 and 12 through ports 47 and 48, respectively. Normally these ports, are closed by the main valve, as shown in Fig. 5, and at the same time the passages 3744 are connected to atmosphere through ports 39* and 39 by means oi the port 38 in the main valve, and the port 40 is connected to atmosphere by means of the ports 4]. and the ports 39" and 39. the main valve occupying its first running pris tion-namel v, passage 37 has been discoi iiectml from ati'uosphere and port 47 has atmospheric pressure.

been uncovered by means of port 49 in the main valve. The space between the pistons 29 and 30 still remains connected to atmos- In Fig. 6, 26 represents) phre, but the inner side of piston 29 is subjected to pressure of forty pounds through.

port 4'7, while the outer side of piston. 30 is subjected to the pressure in port 1. 1 "nainely, As -the air flows through. port 47 the pistons 29 and. 30 are moved laterally to the left until the valve 27 shuts off communication between port 11' and exhaust port 33and permits air to flow directly from port-47 to port 11. Then as the )ressure in the pipe which is being supplied by port 11 rises the pressure on the outer side of piston 30 opposes the pressure on the inner side of piston 29, and by reason of the relative dimensions of these pistons the valve 27 will bemoved to close the port 11 whenthe pressure in the-pipe has reached twent -five pounds. In the next position of the valve, (indicated by 26 in Fig. 6) the passage 44, which leads to the space between the .pistons 29 and 30, is disconnected from atmosphere and is supplied with air at forty pounds pressure through a small port 50 in the main valve. The ipe connectedto port 11 .will now be supp ied'with air at forty pounds ressure, since the ressure on the inner si e of the piston '30 is forty pounds, and itwill therefore require forty pounds on the other side of this piston before the valve 27 is closed. In the thirdposition of the main valve, as at 26 in Fig. 7, passage-44 is'againconnected to atmosphere through port 51 in the main valve and ort 39. Cone sequently the total pressure 0 the inner side of the connected pistons-29 and 30 is less than that on the outer side and the valve 27 will be moved to its normal position, permitting air to flow from port 11, through port '33, to atmosphere until pressure at twentyfive pounds has been reached, whereupon the pressure against piston 29 will cause the valve 27 to be moved toward the left and again close communication between port 11 and atmosphere. At. the same time port 48, leading to the inner side of the piston 31, is. opened by reason of the end of the valve 27 passing beyond said port. Air. at forty pounds'press'urc will now be admitted to the inner side of piston 31, forcing it and the valve 28 outwardly. It will be noted that the port 41 has moved from the ports 39 and 40, so that chamber 36 is shut off from atmosphere, but still in communication with port 12. Air will therefore be supplied to the pipe connected to port 12. until a pressure is reached which will cause the piston 32 to move the valve 28 to the left against the opposed pressure on piston 31 and close said port, the relative proportions of the pistons 31 and 32 being such that the supply of air to port 12 will be shut off when a pressure of seven, and a half pounds has been reached. In the final position of the valve (indicated at 26 in'Fig. 7) passage 44 is again supplied with air at forty pounds pressure through the port '52 in the main valve, and consequently the pipe connected to port 11 Will be again su plied with air at forty pounds pressure. Fig. 1 the pipe 1. is shown as connected to port 12 and pipe 2 to port 11. In Fig. 4 the plug-valve 'v is shown 1 o 5 nections, and a mast in its other operative position, connectlng pipe 1 to pipe 12 and pipe 2 to pipe 11*.

Although I have describedin detail a preferred form of apparatus embodying the present invention, together with a suitable valve mechanism and motor-controller well adapted for operation in connection therewith, I do not desire to limit the present invention to the particular apparatus shown, nor to its use in connection with any one form of control apparatus or master-valve mcchanism. WVhat I claim asnew, and desire to secure by Letters Patontof the United States,'is-

1. In' a system switch, electromagnetic actuating means therefor, arelay arranged to complete a circuit through said actuating means for causing the reversing-switch to be moved into one operative position, a second relay arranged to complete a circuit through said actuating means for causing the reversing switch to be moved into its other operative position, means whereby the operation of one relay interrupts the controlled circuit of the other relay, and means'for controlling said relays.

2. In a systemof control, a reversing switch, actuating'mea'ns therefor, a pair of relays for controlling the operation of said actuating means, and means whereby each relay in its operative position renders the other relay inoperative to controlvthe said actuating means. a 3. In a system of control, a reversingswitch, an electromagnet for moving it into one operative position, a second electromagnet for moving it into its other operative position, a relay for controlling the actuatingcircuit of each of said electromagnets, pneumatic actuating means for said relays, and a contact in each actuating-circuit arranged to be opened when the controlling-relay of the other circuit is operated.

4. In a system of control, a motor-controller, pneumatic controlling -means therefor, 'two pipes connected to said controlling means, and a master-valve arranged to ad 'mit to said pipes air varying in degree of .compression, the arrangement being such that the direction of rotation of the motor or motors depends upon the order in which the pipes are energized and said master-valve being constructed and arranged to admit to the second pipe-air at a lower degree of compression than the lowest which is admitted to the first pipe.

5. In a system of control, a motor-controller including a reversing-switch, pneumatic relays including two reversing-relays for controlling said controller, two pipes connected to said relays, .one pipe being cdnnected to each reversing-relay, the arrangement being such that both pipes must be energized in order to give a complete cycle of control conof control, a reversinger-valve for admitting air, to said pipes at varying degrees of pressure, said valve being so arranged that the air which is admitted to the second pipe to be energized is of a pressure insufficient to operate the reversingrelay.

6. In a system of control, a motor-controllcr including ,a reversing-switch, a series of pairs of relays including a pair of reversing relays for controlling the operation of" said controller, pneumatic actuating means for said relays arranged to close saiolpairs of relays at difierent pressures, two pipes connecting corresponding relays ofeach pair, a master-valve for admitting to said pipes fluid varying in degree of compression, the arrangement being such that both pipes must be energized to give a complete cycle of connections and the master-valve being arranged to' supply either of said pipes only with air at a pressure insufficient to operate the reversing-relay.

v7. In a systejmof control, .a series-parallel motor-controller, including a reversingswitch, pneumatic relays'including a pair of parallel relays both of which must be closed in order to give the parallel motor connections and two reversing-relays for controlling the operation of said motor-controller, two

pipes each connected toga reversing relay and v to acpar'allel relay",and a master-valve arranged to admit tosai'd relays air varying in degreeof compression. i

8. In a system of control, a series-parallel motor-controller including a reversingswitch, relays including a pair of reversingrelays and a pair of parallel relays for controlling the operation of said motor-control ler, the arrangement beingsuch that-both parallel relays must be operated to produce theparallel connections, pneumatic actuating means for said relays including actuating means for the parallel relays arranged to operate at a lower pressure than the pressure'at which the reversing-relays operate, a pair of pipes connected to said actuating means, and means for supplying compressed fluid to either of said pipes at pressures suliicient to operate all of the relays connected thereto and to the other pipe at a ressure sufficient only to operate the parallel relay.

9. In a system of control, a motor-controller, a series of pairs of relays for governing said controller, pneumatic actuating means for said relays arranged to operate at different pressures, two pipes connecting corresponding relay-actuating means of said pairs,

and neans for supplying to said pipes air varying in degree of compression, the arrangement being such that both relays of one pair andeither relay of each of the other pairs provides for a complete cycle of con troller connections, the direction of rotation of the motor depending upon the order in which said pipes are energized. 10. In a system of control, a motor-con- 1 troller comprising a reversing-switch, individual series and parallel switches and a plurality of resistance-switches, a series of pairs of controllingaelays including pairs of reversing, resistance and parallel relays, pneumatic actuating means for said relays, two pipes connecting corresponding relays of said pairs, and a master-valve for admitting com pressed air to each pi e during each cycle of operation for forward or reverse rotation of the motor or motors.

11. In a system of control, a' motor-controll r comprising individual series, parallel and resistance switches and a reversingswitch, controlling-relays including a pairof reversing-relays and a pair of parallel relays,

pneumatic actuating means for said relays so arranged that the parallel relays are operated at less pressure than the reversing-relays,

two pipes connected to the actuating means of said relays, each pipe being connected to the actuating means of a reversing-relay and of a parallel relay, and means for supplying either pipe with compressed fluid havlng sufficient pressure to operate all of the relays associated therewith and the other pipe with fluid having only sufficient pressure to operate tlie parallel relay, whereby acomplete cycle of connections for forward or reverse rotation of the motor or motors may be ob tained.

12. In a system of control, amotor-con trollercomprising a reversing-switch, indi-'' vidual series and parallel switches-and a plurality of resistance-switches arranged to opcrate in automatic succession, a series of .pairs of controlling-relays including pairs of reversing, resistance and parallel relays,

pneumatic actuating means for said relays so arranged that the parallel relays operate at a lower ressure than that at which the reversing-re ays operate, two pi es connecting corresponding relays of sai pairs, and means for supplying either of said pipes with fluid at proper pressures for operating all of said relays and the other ipe with fluid having a ressure suflicient on y to operate the pawlel relay, whereby a complete cycle of connections for forward or reverse rotation of the motor or motors may be obtained.

13. In a system of control, a motor-controller comprising a reversing-switch, indi vidual series andparallel switches and a plurality of individual resistance-switches arranged to be operated in automatic succession, a plurality of individual separately-actuated relays for controlling the reversing, parallel. and resistance switches respectively, and means for controlling said relays.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand thisi19th day of May, 1905.

GEORGE H. HILL.

- Witnesses:

BENJAMIN 'B. HULL, r HELEN ORFORD. 

